DOLE sets meet with PAL management, inflight attendants

MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to abort a possible work stoppage at the country’s flag carrier, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is meeting anew today with representatives Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the union of flight attendants.

As this developed, the Philippine Commission on Women ((PCW) called on the PAL to stop gender discrimination and continue employing “older” and even pregnant flight attendants.

DOLE said negotiations to settle the three-year old labor dispute between PAL and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) will resume this morning.

The meeting between the two parties last Tuesday ended in a deadlock, with FASAP rejecting PAL’s previous offer of P80- million financial benefits and insisted on the exclusion of an existing policy requirement for flight attendants to retire at 40 years.

In a statement issued yesterday, the PCW described PAL’s retirement scheme as a blatant form of sexism and gender discrimination against flight attendants.

“PAL’s absurd grooming standards for female flight attendants negates the primary duty of flight attendants as safety professionals. The same standards to those who have given birth who are given hard time getting their jobs back,” PCW noted.

PCW expressed support for FASAP’s decision not to forge a new collective bargaining agreement with PAL without addressing the gender discrimination issue.

“Sexism and gender discrimination are unjust reasons for women to lose their jobs,” PCW pointed out.

“As the country’s premier flag carrier, PAL must carry the Philippines’ commitment to promote equality through all appropriate means. Gender, age, and looks are the least factors to be considered in staff recruitment, training and promotion.